Thoughts on the Iraqi constitution

You can read a partial text of the constitution here. Much of the commentary has centered on the statement that no law may contradict Islamic standards and the decision to create a federal republic, that is three autonomous regions.

Here's the thing: We don't know what's going to happen to with or because of this constitution, which is still being hammered out. I am concerned with the Islamic-standard statement, but it also says that no law may contradict democratic standards. In any case, it is up to the people of Iraq, who will vote on the document in October. And they may well vote it down. We don't know what will happen in either contingency.

We do know, however, that this is the first time in their lives that Iraqis have been given a say in how their government will look. Indeed, it's the first time the citizens of any Arab nation have been given such an opportunity.